Changes

==Examples==

==Examples==

It can also be said that the [[Roman]] '''nomen''' conforms most closely to modern European '''last names''' due to the lack of consistent methodical use of the second name in modern times.  But in many cases last or third names do actually follow the [[tria nomina]] by actually being a direct [[cognomen]] such as ''Smith, Thatcher, Weaver, White, Black, Yellow, van Dam<ref>Dutch: literally "from the dam"</ref>, von Albrecht<ref>German: literally "from Albrecht"</ref> Duchateau<ref>French: literally "from the castle"</ref>, Deschamps<ref>French: literally "from the fields"</ref> and Castellano<ref>Spanish: literally "from Castile"</ref>''; while at other times modern last names can more closely resembles an [[agnomen]] such as ''Brilliant'').  Howevern a European tradition wherein a last name conforms more closely to the purpose of the '''nomen gentilicium''' are names such as ''Peterson'' being Peter's son.

It can also be said that the [[Roman]] '''nomen''' conforms most closely to modern European '''last names''' due to the lack of consistent methodical use of the second name in modern times.  But in many cases last or third names do actually follow the [[tria nomina]] by actually being a direct [[cognomen]] such as ''Smith, Thatcher, Weaver, White, Black, Yellow, van Dam<ref>Dutch: literally "from the dam"</ref>, von Albrecht<ref>German: literally "from Albrecht"</ref> Duchateau<ref>French: literally "from the castle"</ref>, Deschamps<ref>French: literally "from the fields"</ref> and Castellano<ref>Spanish: literally "from Castile"</ref>''; while at other times, modern last names can more closely resembles an [[agnomen]] such as ''Brilliant''.  However, a European tradition wherein a last name conforms more closely to the purpose of the '''nomen gentilicium''' are names such as ''Peterson'' being Peter's son.

Despite the above modern examples it must be noted that it is still a frequent modern naming convension for second names to conform to the nomen gentilicium by naming a child's second name in honour of a family member of the same sex.

Despite the above modern examples, it must be noted that it is still a frequent modern naming convension for second names to conform to the nomen gentilicium by naming a child's second name in honour of a family member of the same sex.

If we consider a classic [[Latin]] example of the ''tria nomina'' system such as [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], we must note that Julius is not his first name, but rather his '''nomen''' representing his father's linage: his first name, or [[praenomen]], is Gaius while ''Caesar'' was his [[cognomen]].

If we consider a classic [[Latin]] example of the ''tria nomina'' system such as [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], we must note that Julius is not his first name, but rather his '''nomen''' representing his father's linage: his first name, or [[praenomen]], is Gaius while ''Caesar'' was his [[cognomen]].

Thus when [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] adopted his nephew in his will: [[Gaius Octavius Thurinus]] ("octavian" being the family name), Octavius changed his '''nomen gentilicium''' to "Julius" and accepted the associated [[cognomen]] of "Caesar".  But [[Octavian]] logically kept his first name/[[praenomen]] of "Gaius".  It must also be noted at that time [[Octavian]] had not yet been honoured with the [[agnomen]] of "Augustus".

Thus when [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] adopted his nephew in his will: [[Gaius Octavius Thurinus]] ("octavian" being the family name), Octavius changed his '''nomen gentilicium''' to "Julius" and accepted the associated [[cognomen]] of "Caesar".  But [[Octavian]] logically kept his first name/[[praenomen]] of "Gaius" (which just happened to be the same making the entirety of his name exactly the same as his adopted father and predecessor).  It must also be noted at that time [[Octavian]] had not yet been honoured with the additional [[agnomen]] of "Augustus".

==Etymology==

==Etymology==